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Longines Watches Brand Focus

Beginning their story of luxury in 1832 in Saint-Imier in Switzerland, Longines have been creating beautiful Swiss timepieces built on elegance, tradition and performance ever since.

With nearly two centuries of experience, Longines always exceed expectations with cutting edge technology and mechanical brilliance. The brand is highly respected in the world of sport, and have had a strong passion with elegant sports such as equestrian, gymnastics, skiing and more.

Travel back in time with the history of the brand, discover what makes the Longines world tick and find out why you should choose a Longines watch in our Longines Brand Focus. You also have the chance to win two hospitality tickets to Royal Ascot…

Longines History

Longines Through The Years

Travel back in time with us and explore the rich history of Longines.

1832

The Saint-Imier watchmaking establishment is founded by Auguste Agassiz. Auguste and his two partners make and sell pocket watches with crown-wheel escapements.

1867

The watch factory, located in Saint-Imier – or more precisely in Es Longines (“long meadows”) – is inaugurated by Ernest Francillon.

1867

Longines produces its first movement, the 20A, which wins an award at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in the same year. In these early days of watchmaking, most movements were wound with keys, but Francillon decided against this and from this year, began producing only watches wound via the crown.

1881

The oldest known advertisements for the winged hourglass date back to 1881. The patented chronograph was popular amongst everyone involved in the sport of horse racing, from the bettors and the spectators to the professional riders and riding schools.

1900

Longines wins the Grand Prix at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900 with a pocket watch named La Renommée.

1912

The first system of electromechanical sports timing (using wires which when broken respectively start or stop the watch) is used at the Federal Gymnastics Festival in Basel.

1913

The brand begins to develop its first movements for wristwatches.

1919

Longines is named the official supplier for the International Aeronautical Federation.

1945

The brand’s first self-winding movement launches.

1954

Longines develops the brand’s first quartz clock and the Longines Conquest collection is launched.

1957

The elegant Longines Flagship collection is launched, with its distinctive medallion featuring a caravel engraved on the caseback.

1977

Longines develops a mechanical self-winding calibre, the L990, with a height of only 2.95mm making it the world’s flattest self-winding movement of its kind.

1982

Having signed technical partnerships with the Formula 1 teams of Ferrari and later Renault, Longines becomes the Official Timekeeper for F1 races for 10 years.

1985

Longines is named Official Timekeeper for all the artistic and rhythmic gymnastics events organised by the International Federation of Gymnastics.

Longines & Equestrian Sports

Longines’ passion for equestrian sport dates back to 1878, when they produced a chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount. Equestrian sports are a perfect illustration of the key values of Longines; strength, endurance, technique, precision and elegance.

Longines have been the Official Timekeeper and the Official Watch of Ascot races since 2006.

Longines & Tennis

Since 2007, Longines have been the Official Partner and Timekeeper of the French Open tennis tournament. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership, and continues to perfectly represent the sport and the brand with tradition, performance and elegance.

Longines & Gymnastics

Longines first became involved in gymnastics in 1912, when they launched an innovative electro-mechanical timing system. For over twenty five years, the brand has been the Official Partner and Timekeeper for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics organised by the International Federation of Gymnastics.

Longines & Alpine Skiing

Longines has been accurately timing alpine skiing for many years. The brand is the Official Partner and Timekeeper of the International Ski Federation, and is preparing to push the limits of timekeeping with a new technological innovation. A chip will be attached to the skier’s boot, equipped with a radar and motion sensors to enable the real-time measurement of the athlete’s speed and an analysis of jumps.

Why Longines

Why Choose A Longines Watch?

Here are five reasons why we think a Longines watch is a good choice.

1 - Longines watches are of true Swiss quality, beautifully crafted and imbued with the same rich heritage as all of the other Swiss watch brands, but at a slightly more affordable price point.

2 - The elegance seen across their collections is unrivalled. With the slogan “Elegance Is An Attitude”, it’s clear to see highly elegant design remains at the forefront of their minds.